Article Updated August 2022
This Redondo Beach, Los Angeles patient wanted to get rid of a single, faint line on the left side of her face which had developed from years of smiling. Although the wrinkle appears to be very minor, it was still bothersome to her because it was stubborn and would obviously not go away on its own. Furthermore, she was well aware that over time, it would turn into a deeper groove. She sought the help of Dr.U (Dr.Umar) who recommended the dermal filler Belotero vs Juvederm to seamlessly fill the line so that it is no longer visible.
This crease was on the lower part of the patient’s face near her mouth. Although it is caused by smiling, Dr. U did not recommend using a neuromuscular injection like Botox or Dysport. Using muscle relaxing injections by the mouth could interfere with important daily functions, like eating and speaking. This is why Dr. U decided that it was best to fill the wrinkle instead of targeting the muscles.
Belotero is designed using advanced cross-linking technology. Its unique structure allows it to fill superficial injections, near the skin’s surface. This is why Dr. U decided on using Belotero for this patient’s case.
How This Patient Got Rid of A Single Fine Line With Belotero
Although fine lines are faint and barely noticeable to others, they can still be bothersome for the person who has them. This Los Angeles woman had a single …
Photos of Redondo Beach, Los Angeles Patient Before Her Belotero Filler Treatment, By Dr. U
Not everyone chooses to undergo cosmetic skin procedures, motivated to make themselves more attractive to other people. This case is a great example.
Most individuals wouldn’t notice the fine vertical smile line that concerned the patient. This was a barely visible wrinkle that did not undermine her overall appearance.
Seeing the line every day in the mirror became very irksome for the patient. Instead of caring about what others thought about it, she decided to seek help for her own personal satisfaction.
This single wrinkle started out as a slight, mild groove that appeared when she smiled or laughed. However, as the skin lost its elasticity over time, it evolved into a more permanently etched crease on the side of her face.
Here are photos of the patient before using Belotero vs Juvederm to fill in her smile line wrinkle.
Belotero vs Juvederm Procedure Photos of Wrinkle Removal
Besides the use of Belotero, many people wonder about other options that can help get rid of wrinkles.
There are many anti-aging skin products available to consumers. But they only produce a very temporary effect. This is why individuals often turn to cosmetic procedures instead. When it comes to targeting wrinkles, there are three main types of treatment:
- facelifts
- lasers
- filler
A doctor would need to examine patients individually, on a case-by-case basis to determine which of these methods would be the best course of action. Here is a general summary of each treatment.
Facelifts are performed through surgery. The physician creates incisions at the sides of the face in order to stretch the skin and minimize sagging and wrinkles. After achieving the desired effect, he or she then closes the incisions with sutures.
Lasers use heat energy applied to deeper layers of the skin. This is intended to stimulate the formation of new collagen tissue which helps smooth out wrinkles. As we get older, our skin produces less collagen, reserving this process more for healing wounds and injuries. The use of lasers for skin rejuvenation simulates the infliction of wounds in order to prompt fibroblast cells to create collagen.
Dermal fillers are injected into the skin to replenish any volume that was lost. When it comes to wrinkle removal, fillers help to raise the crease or groove on the surface, making unwanted lines less visible.
Many fillers, such as Juvederm, Restylane, and Perlane, are composed of hyaluronic acid, as the main ingredient. This is a naturally occurring compound in our bodies that usually takes the form of a clear, lubricating substance. However, the actual pharmaceutical product used for injectable fillers is made from bacteria-derived hyaluronic acid. This is a more sterile option that lowers the risk of allergic reactions.
Each hyaluronic acid filler displays different properties in terms of characteristics like viscosity and consistency. This is due to the way the HA molecules are cross-linked with one another.
Juvederm, for example, is cross-linked to form small particles in a clear gel medium. This makes it susceptible to a physics phenomenon, known as the Tyndall effect. Light rays will pass through the clear Juvederm suspension and bend. This produces a bluish color which appears as a bruise-like appearance on the skin.
According to Dr. U, this use of the Juvederm filler is ideal for deeper applications, not superficial fine lines, as in the case of this patient. Again, he recommends Belotero vs Juvederm for finer creases.
Besides the issue of discoloration, a particulate suspension is also prone to forming clumps. This is another reason why Dr. U does not recommend the use of Juvederm for fine surface lines.
Belotero vs Juvederm – An Improved Filler For Treating Fine Wrinkles
A more advanced process was developed to create a unique form of cross-linking to connect hyaluronic acid molecules together. This approach was used to produce a newer generation filler, known as Belotero.
Belotero takes on the form of a seamless, continuous substance, not particles in a gel. This is why it is, by far, a much better choice for filling superficial fine lines. It will not cause clumping or the Tyndall effect.
A Note By Dr. U on Why Wrinkle Removing Creams Don’t Work
The demand for a magic cream, lotion, serum, or oil blend to make wrinkles disappear is a timeless one. Ancient cultures used all kinds of ingredients like crushed pearls, frankincense, and even animal dung. Victorian women even applied mercury to their skin, to corrode the outer surface.
Nowadays, consumers can still find odd or exotic skin potions within the endless array of products designed to remove wrinkles and turn back the hands of time.
According to Dr. U, creams and the like do not produce lasting results. As for moisturizers, they can plump up the skin which can reduce the appearance of wrinkles temporarily, for a day or so. They may also produce a slick sheen filling in pores and fine lines until the individual washes their face at night. As lines become deeper, the use of externally applied products will become increasingly futile.
The only way to experience more long-term, satisfactory results is to address underlying issues that reside in deeper layers of the skin.
Belotero Before and After Images
This patient did not have to endure surgery or have to wait for laser treatments to improve the appearance of her skin. The use of a laser would have been a more unpredictable approach since there is no clear way to predict how long it would take to actually get rid of the fine smile line.
Dr. Umar was able to produce an instant improvement that met this patient’s objective. Injecting Belotero succeeded beautifully in getting rid of the fine lines that she was concerned with.
The patient noticed that the smile line could not be seen when her face is at rest or when it is moving. She gave the feedback that it felt like Belotero added “more flesh” (i.e. volume) to the targeted area.
These before and after photos show the patient’s results just three weeks following her procedure. As the images show, the etched line is completely gone.
Video – Belotero vs Juvederm for Getting Rid of Superficial Fine Line on the Face
The patient reports that she is very happy with her experience and would gladly recommend Belotero as a wrinkle treatment to others. She says that the procedure was easy with very little bruising and no side effects.
If you are interested in treating fine wrinkles using Belotero, sign up for a complimentary consultation with Dr. Umar by clicking the button below.
FAQ – Choosing Belotero vs Juvederm or Other Forms of Wrinkle Treatment
Will a wrinkle prevention pillow work in the long term? Or is this just a gimmick?
A wrinkle prevention pillow works by helping you maintain a sleeping position on your back, not your side. When you sleep on your side, you are more likely to cause the skin to fold as the weight of your head adds pressure. This can encourage the formation of etched wrinkles.
Any type of repetitive habit that constantly creases the skin can result in permanent fine lines over time. This includes smiling, laughing, squinting, smoking, puckering, and drinking through straws.
However, these types of pillows will not prevent any and all wrinkles. Some people may have more sagging and less elasticity on their face and may be more prone to forming creases on their cheeks from constantly sleeping on their side. For others, this may not even be a problem.
What is the best wrinkle prevention cream that I can buy?
Truthfully, the best wrinkle prevention cream that is worth your investment is a good SPF product, of 30 or higher. There are many documented forms of research that show that UV rays from the sun cause the skin to age prematurely. These include identical twin studies, where one sibling shows greater signs of aging due to excessive sun exposure. Making sunscreen an everyday part of your moisturizing routine is the most effective way to prevent wrinkles.
What Belotero dermal filler side effects should I be aware of?
Common side effects that are associated with Belotero include bruising, swelling, itching, and redness. However, in most cases, these issues tend to be very temporary and minor in the extent to which they occur.
Don’t see your question above? Ask Dr. U by clicking the button below.
Further Reading
Learn how this patient treated her frown line crease between the eyebrows using Dysport
Discover effective treatment options for improving the appearance of laugh lines
References
- Belotero: Effectiveness, Before and After Photos, Side Effects, & Cost. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/belotero. Published 2022. Accessed August 10, 2022.
- Juvederm: Cost, Side Effects, and Risks. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/juvederm. Published 2022. Accessed August 10, 2022.
